Jing Wen walked towards the bed and seized the blanket from the person. He felt the lingering warmth on his fingers. Immediately, he made a mental note to remind the laundry girl to place the blanket in boiling water before washing it.

The cool wind from the opened window continued to blow into the room, brushing against the lady on the bed. She instinctively reached out for something, but gave up after a short moment. A pink veil could be seen fluttering beneath her black hair. Her complexion was truly beautiful, and perhaps due to her unconsciousness, a hint of innocence could be seen.

Jing Wen naturally could not admire the beautiful scenery that was so beautiful it could be made into a painting. Although he had known her for a long time, he never thought that this girl would be so bold as to seize his bed directly.

Tang Roulan had initially just wanted to surprise Jing Wen by appearing in his room, but for some reason, when she laid on the bed, she immediately fell into the realm of dreams. She felt relaxed, snoring softly. Occasionally, her tongue would reach out and lick the corners of her lips. This act lacked any sort of seduction, and was more like the act of an innocent child.

Jing Wen scrunched his brows. Although he and she were in a relationship for half a year, he was still a little surprised by her action… who knew such a scheming yet beautiful woman had this innocent and tired side.

After a long moment, Jing Wen eventually returned the blanket onto Tang Roulan’s body. In the end… that time… she was twice his benefactor. Since he could not kill her, he should not treat her too rudely. As he placed the blanket, his fingers would occasionally brush against her soft and silky skin.

After the blanket was returned, Tang Roulan slept for a while longer, before opening her eyes.

Tang Roulan had not slept well for two months already. The nap in Jing Wen’s room was an excellent quality sleep, causing her to subconsciously slap her lips in satisfaction. As she rubbed her half-shut eyes, a hint of joy could be seen within them, like the willow leaves resting upon the lake.

She then blinked and became fully awake. As though a child had thrown a stone into that lake, dispersing the willow leaves, the joy in her eyes vanished and was replaced by calm.

Jing Wen had long become used to Tang Roulan’s quick transition between an innocent child, a powerful and cold woman, then finally a regular girl next door. Perhaps because he longer feel the same affection he had towards her long away, a new thought appeared in his mind as he watched this change; if she was wearing so many masks in her life, will she still be her true self in the end?

Tang Roulan yawned before standing up. Then, glancing out of the window and seeing the new layer of snow, she said, “A charcoal burner really makes the room comfortable to sleep in.”

After finishing her sentence, she walked towards a bronze mirror next to the door. She took out a comb from her sleeves and began brushing her dark hair. Her actions were so naturally and lacking any sign of embarrassment or nervousness that Jing Wen almost doubted he was in his own room.

The piece of cloth fluttered as Jing Wen observed Tang Roulan’s movements. Feeling the fatigue between her actions, he said, “You seem to be troubled.”

He had always known her to be carefree like Consort Li. For her to be so fatigued surprised him.

Tang Roulan’s hand holding the brush froze for a moment. Then, she continued to brush her hair. She joke, “Indeed, I’m troubled by something. Unfortunately, it is a problem a man cannot understand.”

Naturally, that was a joke.

Jing Wen replied, “Then, as a woman, can you answer why you’re sleeping on my bed?”

Tang Roulan’s hand that held the comb froze again.

“Perhaps your manor is too empty compared to Changchun Palace, causing me to fall asleep.” Tang Roulan answered calmly.

In truth, Tang Roulan was blushing with shame at this moment, and the tip of her ears was utterly crimson. Fortunately, Jing Wen could not see her state, or else the situation would be even more embarrassing for her if Jing Wen found out that she was flustered. This was why right after waking up, she blamed the charcoal-burner, and now the lack of liveliness.

However, Consort Li had always taught her to take the initiative. Even though she did not know why she fell asleep on Jing Wen’s bed when she just wanted to surprise him by appearing in his room, she refused to show any fluster.

In the end, Jing Wen was a blind person. As long as she did not show it through her voice, it was impossible for him to notice anything strange.

In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Tang Roulan’s head, before she circulated Qi within her body, dispersing them. Then, she looked at the mirror before her and said, “I didn’t expect there would be such a large mirror in your room. I never knew you to be someone who cared too much about appearance.”

“It’s here for Jing An. In the past, she would stay here overnight. In the morning, she would fix her appearance.” Jing Wen explained.

“It seems I’m not the first woman on your bed then.” Tang Roulan teased, but the blush on her face grew more crimson as she continued combing her hair.

After a long moment, Tang Roulan’s hair was as smooth as before. A few containers then flew out of her sleeve, lingering in the air.

The delicate decorations on the porcelain containers appeared akin to butterflies, gravitating towards the girl.

Then, the lids of the porcelain container slipped off, and bits of the cosmetic pigments broke off from the container. The vibrant makeup brushed against her face like falling petals.

This was naturally the powerful ability of Qi Manifestation cultivators to manipulate their surroundings. Jing Wen himself never achieved such fine control; such a skill takes too long to master, only to help her apply makeup a little faster.

“How… have you been?” Tang Roulan suddenly asked after drawing her brows.

Jing Wen was silent. His current situation was in no small part due to Tang Roulan’s appearance that day. Though Tang Roulan was asking out of concern, Jing Wen did not want to answer.

“I have no intention of apologising on my action that day… I only spoke a few words.”

Tang Roulan did not wait for Jing Wen to speak, and continued, “That day… I also saved your life for the second time.”

On the day of the Prime Minister’s death, Tang Roulan had brought him back to Lin’an after he collapsed. As for the first time, she had spent half a month tending to his injuries.

“Although I did not use any precious medicine to save your life, that time, I still found you in the remote countryside, cooking and even helping you change dressings. We lived under the same roof for so long, and you were unaware of my identity the whole duration, believing me to be a simple village girl. If I had wanted to kill you, there were countless opportunities.”

Tang Roulan looked into the mirror and saw the reflection of the blind youth. She said after a long moment, “What I mean is… I never bore any bad intentions towards you.”

Jing Wen reached out his hand towards Tang Roulan, but retracted it before touching her.

Tang Roulan did not, or pretended not to notice Jing Wen’s actions. She continued, “I don’t know what my master’s intention is, but I do not believe she would want to harm you. As I said previously, there were countless opportunities, but she never took any.”

“I don’t doubt Consort Li’s good intentions towards me. I doubt Consort Li’s intentions towards the Great Zhu.” Jing Wen replied.

“Why would master harm His Majesty when both love each other dearly? As far as I’m aware, His Majesty is the first person that can cause master to back down… as long as His Majesty is alive, there is seldomly any possibility that Consort Li would harm the Great Zhu, much like a common wife would love the house and its crow (愛屋及烏).”

Jing Wen lowered his hand and ‘looked’ at Tang Roulan in the mirror. “Consort Li can live far longer than his Majesty. What happens when His Highness the Crown Prince ascends?”

Jing Wen shook his head and continued, “Consort Li naturally cannot love His Highness the same as His Majesty, nor can she love him as a son.”

Tang Roulan raised her brows slightly. A frown could be seen on her just-painted lips. “What if master gives birth to her own son?”

“I’m sorry, but I’m a selfish person. His Highness the Crown Prince has been with me since our youth, while I am completely unfamiliar with the fetus in Consort Li’s womb.”

Tang Roulan turned around and looked at Jing Wen quietly. For some reason, a sigh left her lips.

She was very familiar with Jing Wen’s personality, and knew the value he placed on those related to him. If it were not for this reason, the two of them would have never separated.

“Then… if your father had lived… would you have supported my master?”

Jing Wen did not answer. He simply ‘stared’ at her.

At this moment, Tang Roulan had already applied her makeup. Her eyes were sharp and gorgeous, her skin white and fair. It seemed as though the appearance of the sixteen year old girl had been covered by the layer of cosmetics.

But still, no matter how powerful she was, she is still a young girl.

Even Jing Wen cannot remove his youthfulness after all those events, how could she, who had never tasted bitterness (吃苦 - experience hardship), be an utterly ruthless lady?

After an unknown amount of time, Tang Roulan suddenly asked, “Why must we harm each other?”